The Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class does 25.5 mpg combined (22.0 city, 31.3 highway), which works out to about $1,506 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 28 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 23 — a difference of $299 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 24 / 35 | 2019–2020 | $1,371 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 20 / 27.5 | 2017–2018 | $1,670 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.125 |
| Fuel per year | $1,506 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,530 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$6 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,950 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22.0 mpg | $1,745 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.3 mpg | $1,227 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.3 mpg (42%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the SLC-Class changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 24 / 35 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2019 | 24 / 35 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2018 | 20 / 27 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2017 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class get?
25.5 mpg combined on average — 22.0 in the city and 31.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2017–2020.
How much does a Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class cost in fuel per year?
About $1,506 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,530 over five years, or 0.125 dollars a mile.
Which SLC-Class engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 28 mpg, against 23 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $299 a year.
Is the SLC-Class good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.